Hall of Fame promoter Don King has decided to split his upcoming show into two separate dates – Saturday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 2 – both taking place at the Casino Miami Jai Alai.
King is going to celebrate his recent 92nd birthday over two events.
“It’s going to be a November and December to remember,” said King.
King will spotlight the WBC cruiserweight championship fight, featuring the top two contenders in Noel Mikaelian and Ilunga Makabu, on Nov. 4th and the two Cincinnati kids—Adrien Broner and Chris Howard will battle it out in a welterweight bout on Saturday, Dec. 2.
King has invited O’Jays founder and lead singer Edward Willis Levert, to celebrate the Nov. 4th card and King’s birthday. Levert has volunteered to sing the national anthem and be a part of King’s Only in America 92 Celebration.
“I want to thank owner Phil Ruffin and general manager Daniel Licciardi for their support in allowing us to have two super nights of boxing at their Casino Miami Jai Alai,” said King. “The Only in America 92 Celebration” extravaganza will be like no other and it will encompass two exciting nights of championship boxing.”
The Nov. 4th card will be headlined with the vacant WBC cruiserweight title, as the number one ranked fighter, Mikaelian (26-2, 11 KOs) of Miami, FL via Armenia takes on the number two ranked fighter and former champion Makabu (29-3, 25 KOs) from Johannesburg, South Africa via the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Makabu, who lost his title to Badou Jack as he was stopped in the 12th round, is hoping to regain his belt after Badou Jack relinquished the title.
The other bout will spotlight two heavyweight champions putting their respective belts on the line. The NABA Gold Heavyweight Champion Jonathan Guidry (19-1-2, 11 KOs) of Dulac, LA will tangle with the undefeated FECARBOX Heavyweight Champion Jesus Escalera (19-0, 19 KOs) of Riverview, FL via Puerto Rico.
The WBA Continental North America Heavyweight Championship will feature the former WBA champion Trevor Bryan (22-1, 15 KOs) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL via New York taking on challenger Cassius Chaney (22-1, 15 KOs) of New London, CT.
Broner, a four-time world champion in four weight divisions, continues his return as he meets another Cincinnati, OH fighter in Howard (18-2-1, 8 KOs). Broner (35-4-1, 24 KOs) made his return to the ring on June 9th a successful one in winning a unanimous decision over William “Hutch” Hutchinson. It was Broner’s first fight in nearly 26 months, who is on a mission to secure the 140-pound world title.
Broner will dedicate this fight to his late trainer and mentor Mike Stafford, who passed away at the age of 67 in September. A 10-bell salute will be held prior to the co-main event featuring Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs) from Haledon, NJ against an opponent to be named.